WASHINGTON The Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend the approval of Merck's HIV treatment Isentress (raltegravir). The FDA is not bound to follow the committee's recommendation, although it typically takes its advice.

Isentress is indicated to treat HIV in patients in which other therapies are not slowing viral replication. If approved, the drug would be the first in a new class of antiretroviral agents.